There's no better time to come along to some hearty lunch time PD. With any luck the person next to you might offer you some of their chips! If you can't make it to any of these sessions, you will find info and resources from each of the sessions right here.
We kick off this term with a helpful "Get" series aimed at helping Lecturers
These examples are all available from the Apple App store, Google Play Store and also as web apps for your browser (e.g. Chrome). I have all these tools synced across my Android phone, iPad mini and Windows PC at work and at home. Please contact me (see the wiki Home page for my details) if you want to look at, or have a demonstration of any of my examples in real use.
Dropbox and OneDrive are just two examples of cloud storage that I use regularly. I save all kinds of text/document, PDF, music/audio, video and image files in my cloud storage. It is a simple way to be able to access these synced files on every device from anywhere - any time. I can also choose to share files and folders with others. This would be a great way to share files with students and for them to provide you with digital copies of files (e.g. their assessments). Most of the common cloud storage platforms will give you around 8 to 10 GB for free and you can 'earn' more free GB space by referring others or syncing your phone or tablet camera roll etc. As part of the migration to Microsoft, every Durack staff member and student will also have a Durack OneDrive account available later this year.
OneNote is a handy app for creating, storing and sharing any info that you want to have available all the time, synced to and available on all your devices, even when you are not connected to the Internet. It's really great for storing info and details that you just can't remember and otherwise wouldn't have handy when you need them. OneNote can keep you prepared with easy to create checklists and to-do lists. OneNote also integrates easily and simply with MS Outlook! Look for OneNote in your MS Office 2013 suite of programs on your computer, download the app on your phone/tablet and you're on your way to being more organised and efficient!
Evernote is a good tool for capturing all kinds of information - images, text, audio, website links, etc. In Evernote I have a series of 'Notebooks' I have created for work and personal use. One handy work use is for taking notes during meetings or PD sessions, adding audio or images of any relevant activities, whiteboard or butcher's paper notes, or even pictures of any hard copy handouts. I can also attach other PowerPoints and PDFs etc. to the note and then share or email that note to anyone else too. I can easily access and refer back to that information at any time - from any device or computer. You can also use key word tags for each note to help you to categorise and search through all your stored info.
Pocket is a great little app for saving all kinds of content for reading offline. You can save web pages and e-magazine articles either to read later, or to keep as permanent references. Like Evernote, you can also tag key words for Pocket articles. Pocket would be a handy way to share resources and reference materials with your students or colleagues.
I use Chrome as my main browser on all my mobile devices and computers and all my bookmarks are automatically synced across all of these. No need to worry about backing up favourites or anything! Chrome also allows me to have web versions of my favourite apps such as Evernote and Pocket and all my Google tools at my fingertips on my computers. I can also sign in to Chrome on any other computer and see all my bookmarks and apps. Other common browsers now have this capacity too.
Topic 2: Get Connected - Social Media tools for training - Parts 1 and 2 1. What is the difference between Social Media and Social Networking?
See Durack's social media wiki: Supporting training with social media for an overview of some popular social media tools and how they can be used to support training.
2. Create separate social media accounts to use for professional purposes:
It is strongly recommended that you create different 'work' accounts for yourself for any social media tools that you will be using with your students. Just as you have a private life outside of work, you should also have separate personal and professional social media profiles, or 'identities' to help ensure you set the appropriate boundaries that are required to protect all Durack's staff and students.
After looking through the Social Media wiki from the link above, pick one social media tool that you think might work with your students and open a new professional account.
3. Create a group using the social media platform that you have created an account for.
Please note: even if you have created a social media account using your professional identity and a group for your 'class' using that platform you must go through the process outlined in the flowchart in the Policy and Procedure for Social Media (MK004P). Please refer to the Durack social media wiki Supporting training with social media for more information.
Topic 3: Get Mobile - Apps for training With Apps such as Nearpod you can deliver and manage engaging training. Nearpod allows you to:
Easily create and edit interactive content that can be presented live, or viewed as self-paced learning resources. You can also load up your existing PowerPoints, videos, PDF files and more
Engage with your learners and use polls and quizzes to assess knowledge and skills
View and manage your students' results.
To get started, download the Nearpod web app http://ws.nearpod.com/ on your computer and create a free account. You can also download the free Nearpod app for your mobile device from the App Store or Google Play. Nearpod has lots of easy to follow tutorials to help you get started. Students can also access and use Nearpod from a computer, or mobile device.
It's as simple as:
Create your content, load it up to Nearpod
Choose if you want to run a structured session with the students following the presentation as you control it, or if you want them to be able to work through the materials at their own pace
Give your students the generated PIN to access the learning and / or assessment materials
You can then view their progress from your mobile device Nearpod app, or through Nearpod on your computer.
Check out Pete's learning activity and knowledge quiz demo using the Nearpod Homework function - http://ws.nearpod.com/#EACHVYou can view this from a computer or, use the Nearpod app on your mobile device. All you need to do for either option is type this PIN in the student box EACHV
Look out for more resources and sessions on mobile devices and apps for training through the Technology Communities of Practice. Topic 4: Blackboard Collaborate
Need to cut back on travel, but still want to have more than a telephone conversation with your students who are not on-campus? Blackboard Collaborate can help you to conduct training and assessment more flexibly.
Blackboard Collaborate is an easy to use web conferencing tool / virtual training room that allows you to provide training and support to individuals or groups of students. It is web-based so no special program needs to be installed by either party. Collaborate has a whiteboard screen, audio and video capacity and a chat area. The facilitator also has control of a number of tools that enable you to manage the session, just as you would in a face-to-face training situation. With Collaborate you can:
Load up PowerPoint presentations and other types of files to display on the whiteboard screen and interact with
Use the whiteboard to show information, for collaborative brainstorming, writing or drawing
Take participants to websites, share whatever is on your computer desktop - or look at other's desktop files
Record the session for others to view later
Keep records of chat conversations and whiteboard screens as participation evidence.
What does Blackboard Collaborate look like? Click here to join the Durack open office Collaborate virtual training room as a student or participant. When you log in to the room, please allow a few minutes for the program to load up. This will give you an idea of what Collaborate looks like from a 'student view' (no tools to control anything). Note: Current students can access thelink to their virtual classroom from the Durack website.
To join a Durack Collaborate room as a Moderator (facilitator) you will need to set up your room first (follow the flowchart process below) and use your ASRI login. Note:Staff can access the Collaboratelink from the staff section of the Durack website. TIP: Always use the audio setup wizard to set up and check your microphone and speakers, or headset, when you first enter any Collaborate room. Make sure you get your participants to do this too - every time :)
How do you go about organising and using Collaborate at Durack?
View a WA ELSS recorded online session on how to use Collaborate as a virtual classroom. If you have never participated in a Collaborate session this recording will give you an idea of how it works. https://ca-sas.bbcollab.com/site/external/jwsdetect/playback.jnlp?psid=2012-03-27.1844.M.2B7FF8769F95D3B6BD8D3F164541E7.vcr&sid=675 Note: When you click the link above a file of the recorded session will download (quite quickly). You might also have to allow Java to Run. When the download is completed, double click it to open the session recording.
You can also go to the Blackboard Collaborate support web site to check out their really helpful support resources. Topic 5: Moodle: What's the latest - Moodle 2.7? Have you heard the news? Moodle 2.7 was released in May, everyone is raving about how good it is - and we're getting it! When? Hopefully at the end of Semester 1, or if not then, very soon after that! So what's so good about Moodle 2.7? Here's a summary of some of the new and improved features: For all Moodle users (lecturers and students):
'Atto' is the new much easier to use text editor that works well on all devices
Moodle 2.7 has a more contempory appearance with improved responsiveness
Mathematics improvements (if you're into that kind of thing ;)
For lecturers:
Create better customised learning pathways with enhanced Conditional Activities
Improved Assignment features
Easily create and manage Quiz and Question bank (yay!)
Example Adobe Acrobat learning resource with interactive content
Part 1: Create learning resources easily using Adobe Acrobat
Did you know every Durack staff member has Adobe Acrobat Pro on their computer?
With Acrobat you can quite easily create learning and assessment resources that are engaging and interactive. You can either use an existing, or build a new resource in MS Word and then convert it to a PDF. Then it is just a matter of opening the file in Adobe Acrobat and defining the fields where you want your students to write, or answer some quiz questions etc. Acrobat will actually 'guess' where you want these fields to be according to the spaces in your document. If it guesses wrong, it is just a matter of deleting the 'blue boxes' you don't want!
If you are feeling a bit more creative, you can also start developing from scratch in Acrobat using the 'Create Form' function. One tip if using this method, make sure you have a very clear idea about the structure and what you want your finished document to look like.
Acrobat documents can be used on a computer, mobile device, within Moodle, emailed, shared via the 'cloud' - or even printed if necessary (there will be no interactivity then). In your documents you can include images, video, quizzes, labelling diagrams, fields to write short / long answers, links to websites etc.
Adobe Acrobat documents can also be used for workplace assessment and RPL evidence gathering. The Institute has projects under way to develop frameworks / templates that will make it even easier for you to create high quality training and/or assessment materials.
Watch out in Semester 2 for more PD activities about Adobe Acrobat and the availability of the new frameworks.
Please contact Michele or Cheryl for more information. Part 2: Making videos for training resources Tried all the sites like You Tube; How Stuff Works; TED; ABC iView and can't find what you want?
The good news is there's lots of free and readily available programs to use to DIY, depending on what you want to do. Best of all - they're easy to use meaning you don't have to be a web or multi-media genius! To demonstrate something on the computer or a website use CamStudio. This easy to use open-source tool allows you to capture and record exactly what you are doing on the screen - and record your voice as well, if you want.
Example: WHS lecturers need to familiarise students with the legislation and the Worksafe website. Low class numbers meant they were always going over the same topic, for only one or two students. Recording the session using CamStudio means students can now access the information anytime. A couple of hours work, for a huge overall time saving for the lecturer! Speak to the IT guys about how to get CamStudio on your computer.
To record your own training videos you can also use a fairly basic digital camera, Point of View glasses, or your smartphone/iPhone. Or better still, get your students to do it as an assessment project - and you'll have a ready made resource to use in the future. Programs like Windows MovieMaker and iMovie make it easy to edit and add titles etc, for a more professional end result.
Turn your PowerPoints into movie files using the latest version of MS PowerPoint. It's as simple as clicking a button! You can also record voice and students still have the option of viewing and/or printing Handouts. Worried about data storage? You can use a YouTube channel, or free cloud storage like Google to house your videos. Part 3: Using PowToon to engage your students
PowToon allows you and students to simply and easily create animations about anything. You can use a template or build your own from scratch.
If you want to:
There's no better time to come along to some hearty lunch time PD. With any luck the person next to you might offer you some of their chips! If you can't make it to any of these sessions, you will find info and resources from each of the sessions right here.
We kick off this term with a helpful "Get" series aimed at helping Lecturers
VET Practitioner PD Topics:
Topic 1: Get organised - making the most of cloud storage
Topic 2: Get connected - social media for training
Topic 3: Get mobile - Apps for training
Topic 4: Blackboard Collaborate
Topic 5: Moodle - what's the latest? - Moodle 2.7 is coming!
Topic 6: Creating e-content and e-resources
There are many free easy-to-use platforms and apps that you can use to store, access and share your files and resources. The beauty of cloud-based storage is you can access your files from any of your mobile devices or home or work computers, as long as you are logged in to that account. You can also share folders and files, which can be really handy for both work and personal purposes.
No more loading up and carrying around USB thumb drives!
Let's look at a few useful common cloud-based platforms and apps that you could easily use:
These examples are all available from the Apple App store, Google Play Store and also as web apps for your browser (e.g. Chrome). I have all these tools synced across my Android phone, iPad mini and Windows PC at work and at home. Please contact me (see the wiki Home page for my details) if you want to look at, or have a demonstration of any of my examples in real use.
Dropbox and OneDrive are just two examples of cloud storage that I use regularly. I save all kinds of text/document, PDF, music/audio, video and image files in my cloud storage. It is a simple way to be able to access these synced files on every device from anywhere - any time. I can also choose to share files and folders with others. This would be a great way to share files with students and for them to provide you with digital copies of files (e.g. their assessments). Most of the common cloud storage platforms will give you around 8 to 10 GB for free and you can 'earn' more free GB space by referring others or syncing your phone or tablet camera roll etc.
As part of the migration to Microsoft, every Durack staff member and student will also have a Durack OneDrive account available later this year.
Pocket is a great little app for saving all kinds of content for reading offline. You can save web pages and e-magazine articles either to read later, or to keep as permanent references. Like Evernote, you can also tag key words for Pocket articles. Pocket would be a handy way to share resources and reference materials with your students or colleagues.
Topic 2: Get Connected - Social Media tools for training - Parts 1 and 2
See Durack's social media wiki: Supporting training with social media for an overview of some popular social media tools and how they can be used to support training.
2. Create separate social media accounts to use for professional purposes:
3. Create a group using the social media platform that you have created an account for.
Topic 3: Get Mobile - Apps for training
To get started, download the Nearpod web app http://ws.nearpod.com/ on your computer and create a free account. You can also download the free Nearpod app for your mobile device from the App Store or Google Play. Nearpod has lots of easy to follow tutorials to help you get started. Students can also access and use Nearpod from a computer, or mobile device.
It's as simple as:
- Create your content, load it up to Nearpod
- Choose if you want to run a structured session with the students following the presentation as you control it, or if you want them to be able to work through the materials at their own pace
- Give your students the generated PIN to access the learning and / or assessment materials
- You can then view their progress from your mobile device Nearpod app, or through Nearpod on your computer.
Check out Pete's learning activity and knowledge quiz demo using the Nearpod Homework function - http://ws.nearpod.com/#EACHV You can view this from a computer or, use the Nearpod app on your mobile device. All you need to do for either option is type this PIN in the student box EACHVLook out for more resources and sessions on mobile devices and apps for training through the Technology Communities of Practice.
Topic 4: Blackboard Collaborate
Need to cut back on travel, but still want to have more than a telephone conversation with your students who are not on-campus? Blackboard Collaborate can help you to conduct training and assessment more flexibly.
Blackboard Collaborate is an easy to use web conferencing tool / virtual training room that allows you to provide training and support to individuals or groups of students. It is web-based so no special program needs to be installed by either party. Collaborate has a whiteboard screen, audio and video capacity and a chat area. The facilitator also has control of a number of tools that enable you to manage the session, just as you would in a face-to-face training situation. With Collaborate you can:
What does Blackboard Collaborate look like?
To join a Durack Collaborate room as a Moderator (facilitator) you will need to set up your room first (follow the flowchart process below) and use your ASRI login. Note: Staff can access the Collaborate link from the staff section of the Durack website.
TIP: Always use the audio setup wizard to set up and check your microphone and speakers, or headset, when you first enter any Collaborate room. Make sure you get your participants to do this too - every time :)
How do you go about organising and using Collaborate at Durack?
Want to know more about using Collaborate and how web conferencing can support training?
Learn more about virtual classrooms http://flexiblelearning.net.au/plan-and-deliver/design-e-learning/gallery/virtual-classrooms
If you are thinking about using a virtual classroom or web-conferencing facility to support your learners the WA E-learning Support Services (ELSS) run regular online training sessions to help lecturers get started using Collaborate as a virtual classroom. Have a look at their calendar of events to find out when these sessions are on http://elss.dtwd.wa.gov.au/
View a WA ELSS recorded online session on how to use Collaborate as a virtual classroom. If you have never participated in a Collaborate session this recording will give you an idea of how it works. https://ca-sas.bbcollab.com/site/external/jwsdetect/playback.jnlp?psid=2012-03-27.1844.M.2B7FF8769F95D3B6BD8D3F164541E7.vcr&sid=675
Note: When you click the link above a file of the recorded session will download (quite quickly). You might also have to allow Java to Run. When the download is completed, double click it to open the session recording.
You can also go to the Blackboard Collaborate support web site to check out their really helpful support resources.
Topic 5: Moodle: What's the latest - Moodle 2.7?
Have you heard the news? Moodle 2.7 was released in May, everyone is raving about how good it is - and we're getting it!
When? Hopefully at the end of Semester 1, or if not then, very soon after that!
So what's so good about Moodle 2.7? Here's a summary of some of the new and improved features:
For all Moodle users (lecturers and students):
- 'Atto' is the new much easier to use text editor that works well on all devices
- Moodle 2.7 has a more contempory appearance with improved responsiveness
- Mathematics improvements (if you're into that kind of thing ;)
For lecturers:Find out more about Moodle 2.7 from Moodle.org http://docs.moodle.org/27/en/Features
If you're interested in the nitty gritty of the enhanced features watch this two minute video:
There's heaps of Moodle videos available from the official Moodle HQ YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_eJsmK-DMqA9Dy7bLKKL-g
Topic 6: Creating e-content
Did you know every Durack staff member has Adobe Acrobat Pro on their computer?
With Acrobat you can quite easily create learning and assessment resources that are engaging and interactive. You can either use an existing, or build a new resource in MS Word and then convert it to a PDF. Then it is just a matter of opening the file in Adobe Acrobat and defining the fields where you want your students to write, or answer some quiz questions etc. Acrobat will actually 'guess' where you want these fields to be according to the spaces in your document. If it guesses wrong, it is just a matter of deleting the 'blue boxes' you don't want!
If you are feeling a bit more creative, you can also start developing from scratch in Acrobat using the 'Create Form' function. One tip if using this method, make sure you have a very clear idea about the structure and what you want your finished document to look like.
Acrobat documents can be used on a computer, mobile device, within Moodle, emailed, shared via the 'cloud' - or even printed if necessary (there will be no interactivity then). In your documents you can include images, video, quizzes, labelling diagrams, fields to write short / long answers, links to websites etc.
Adobe Acrobat documents can also be used for workplace assessment and RPL evidence gathering. The Institute has projects under way to develop frameworks / templates that will make it even easier for you to create high quality training and/or assessment materials.
Watch out in Semester 2 for more PD activities about Adobe Acrobat and the availability of the new frameworks.
Adobe has fantastic tutorials and help resources (including Adobe TV!) on their website: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat.html
Have a look at some of the Adobe examples Michele Edwards has developed for Hairdressing Apprentices:
Here are a couple of different example Adobe forms developed for Automotive:
Please contact Michele or Cheryl for more information.
Part 2: Making videos for training resources
Tried all the sites like You Tube; How Stuff Works; TED; ABC iView and can't find what you want?
See a comprehensive list of resource sites
The good news is there's lots of free and readily available programs to use to DIY, depending on what you want to do. Best of all - they're easy to use meaning you don't have to be a web or multi-media genius!
To demonstrate something on the computer or a website use CamStudio. This easy to use open-source tool allows you to capture and record exactly what you are doing on the screen - and record your voice as well, if you want.
Example: WHS lecturers need to familiarise students with the legislation and the Worksafe website. Low class numbers meant they were always going over the same topic, for only one or two students. Recording the session using CamStudio means students can now access the information anytime. A couple of hours work, for a huge overall time saving for the lecturer!
Speak to the IT guys about how to get CamStudio on your computer.
To record your own training videos you can also use a fairly basic digital camera, Point of View glasses, or your smartphone/iPhone. Or better still, get your students to do it as an assessment project - and you'll have a ready made resource to use in the future. Programs like Windows MovieMaker and iMovie make it easy to edit and add titles etc, for a more professional end result.
Turn your PowerPoints into movie files using the latest version of MS PowerPoint. It's as simple as clicking a button! You can also record voice and students still have the option of viewing and/or printing Handouts.
Worried about data storage? You can use a YouTube channel, or free cloud storage like Google to house your videos.
Part 3: Using PowToon to engage your students
PowToon allows you and students to simply and easily create animations about anything. You can use a template or build your own from scratch.
If you want to:
Then PowToon might be the tool for you!
Check out the PowToon website to learn more: http://www.powtoon.com
PowToon also have their own YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/PowToon
Have a look at this example PowToon made by students: